Best Cat Brushes 2018: Top-Rated Models for a Seamless Grooming

The proud owners of long-haired cats know that these pets require special maintenance. Without a regular grooming, they will shed severely, while their beautiful fur will soon mat and tangle. As a result, they will look messy and unattractive. To make the process of brushing comfortable for you and your cat you need a good cat brush.

Do All Cats Need Brushing?

Different cats have different types of coat. Basically, there are long-haired, short-haired and hairless cats, and specialists distinguish up to three intermediate spices: semi-long-haired, curly-haired and wire-haired cats. Some people mistakenly believe that only long-haired breeds require brushing, while, in fact, you need to brush any cat (excluding the hairless ones) in order to maintain healthy look of its coat and prevent shedding. It’s important to choose the proper tool. Ideally, it must be efficient, easy-to-use and causing no discomfort to a pet.

Types of Cat Brushes

Bristle brushes are a universal tool for all coat types. If your cat is short-haired and doesn’t tend to shed severely, one good bristle brush will be enough to maintain its fur in a proper condi For a long-haired cat, a bristle brush is just one of the grooming accessories.

Pin brushes are for cats with long hairs prone to matting and tangling. A pin cat brush for matted hair helps to cope with matting and prevents the formation of new mats.

Slicker brushes suit cats with different coat types. They effectively stimulate kitties’ skin, improve blood circulation, and help to disperse natural oils along the hairs, making fur glossy and healthy-looking. Beware that a cat slicker brush can hurt skin if it used too aggressively.

Brushing gloves serve a massaging tool for cats with short and semi-long hairs. They are effective in the shedding period. A cat brush glove can be used to groom cats that hate to be brushed.

Cat combs are intended primarily for long-haired cats. They effectively remove excess fur and make the hairs smoother, stronger and glossier.

DeShedders are designed specially for gentle and safe removing of undercoat without touching top hairs. They work like trimmers.

Brushing Your Cat’s Coat: The Basics and Its Benefits

There is a popular misconception: if a cat’s fur looks glossy and healthy, and there are no visible signs of shedding, brushing is unnecessary. But specialists believe that domestic cats need grooming anyway. Regular combing has several benefits both for a pet and its parent.

No mats – no problems. Matting is a result of natural shedding, which is an inevitable process. It can grow into a real problem for the owners of long-haired cats – the mats cause a lot of discomfort to kitties, which can’t get rid of them without people’s help. Brushing and deshedding help to prevent matting.

No mess and a clean home. Even short-haired cats shed regularly, and if the excessive hairs are not brushed out, they are left around the home: on the floor, on the furniture, and on the people’s clothes. Grooming helps to prevent mess and keep your home clean.

A clean and beautiful coat. People love to stroke cats and take them in their arms – when a pet is regularly brushed, its coat is not only beautiful, but clean and pleasant to touch.

Fewer hairballs in the stomach. It is not a secret that wash themselves with their own tongue, spending hours on grooming. Small hairs stick to the tongue and get to the cat’s stomach, forming hairballs inside the pet. Normally, these balls cause no harm and are exerted in a natural way. But if they are too large, it can be difficult to cope with them. The more fur is brushed out, the less is swallowed by a pet.

It’s a perfect way to relax and express your love and care. Careful stroking and massaging relieves stress, pain, and anxiety in a cat and has a calming effect on its owner.

How We Picked out the Best Cat Brushes 2018

To choose the best cat brush models we’ve tested a lot of grooming tools of different types. Our goal of testing was to find an ideal price/quality ratio. We used several criteria of estimation, including the following ones:

overall build quality & design;

materials of teeth and the handle;

brand;

price;

availability in online stores.

Of course, we’ve read and analyzed a lot of cat brush reviews written by real customers. Using a brush in real-life conditions is the best way to check its durability, sturdiness, and effectiveness. A rule of thumb is that the best selling goods that are highly estimated by customers are really the best ones, though there can be some exceptions.

The Best Goods in the Category of Cat Brushes: Our Choice

This list of top cat grooming brush models includes ten popular items. All of them have been tested in real-life conditions and are available in popular online stores. The ranking includes different types of brushes. In particular, we’ve tried to single out the best long hair cat brush, the best cat brush for shedding and even the best brush glove.

Pet Neat Grooming Brush

Review

This is a superb dog & cat shedding brush. Its stainless steel comb with a trimmer effectively copes with both a thick undercoat of a Persian cat and loose hairs of a shedding short-haired pet. It is easy to use, comfortable to hold and versatile. Its handle is made of very sturdy plastic with rubberized grips. What is great about the product is that the manufacturer gives a lifetime guarantee on it. And it is four times cheaper than premium deshedders.

What we think

There are no serious drawbacks. Beware that you need to use the tool very carefully if you don’t want to make bald patches on your pet’s coat. And keep in mind that it doesn’t suit for non-shedding cats and dogs.

PROS

a great value for money;

a lifetime warranty;

versatile and easy to use;

high-quality materials.

CONS

for shedding animals only;

an intensive use can result in bald patches.

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FURminator Long Hair deShedding Tool

Review

This deshedder is made in the full compliance with the original patented FURminator technology. The tool allows to get rid of loose shedding undercoat without damaging top hairs. The Long Hair option is, probably, the best brush for Maine Coon cat and other large and heavy breeds. According to customer reviews, just 10 minutes of brushing with the FURminator per day helps to get rid of up to 95% of loose hairs.

What we think

You need to have some practice to make the most of this tool, and your cat must get used to it. But once you’ve mastered the FURminator, it will be a great deshedder and your reliable assistant in the fight against shedding.

PROS

the unique patented tool;

effectively removed undercoat;

sturdy and well-made;

fast brushing out.

CONS

some cats get scared of it;

can irritate the skin of very sensitive pets.

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Chirpy Pets Dog & Cat Brush

Review

This top-rated cat brush is a deshedder that features a robust design, and a wider comb with long 4-inch stainless steel teeth. It is great for pets with long and very long hairs. The manufacturer guarantees a 60 days refund period: you may return the brush for any reason if it doesn’t work well or your cat doesn’t like it.

What we think

The brush does its job well. Keep in mind that it is for shedding pets only. If your cat loses hairs only in the shedding period twice a year, you’d better buy another brush.

PROS

affordable and surprisingly well-made;

great for long-haired pets;

a 60-day refunding period;

effectively reduces shedding in cats.

CONS

for shedding pets only;

an intensive use can result in bald patches.

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DakPets Dog Brush & Cat Brush

Review

If you don’t know how to brush a long-haired cat that loses its hairs everywhere around the home – simply try this deshedder, and chances are you’ll forget about the problem forever. It is an effective brushing tool that is highly estimated by professional groomers. 4-inch steel blades precisely and gently trim inner undercoat hairs, leaving shining fur, healthy cats, and clean furniture.

What we think

It works a bit slower than the original FURminator. That said, the final result is great anyway – even thick undercoat is removed gently and easily.

PROS

a good, reliable deshedder;

for long- and short-haired cats;

inexpensive and versatile;

high-quality materials.

CONS

a bit slow;

tends to trap hairs sometimes.

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Pet Republique Dematting Tool

Review

If you are in search of the best cat grooming brush for an effective mat removing, have a closer look at this Pet Republique double-sided tool. Basically, there are two combs in one – the first one features 12 teeth, and the second one 23 teeth for a finer job. Due to rounded edges, a pet’s skin is not hurt, while sharp blades effectively break mats.

What we think

You need a lot of experience and patience to work with it; otherwise you will just pull and tear your pet’s hairs. Many cats are scared of it at first, so try to be gentle and persistent.

PROS

effectively breaks and removes mats;

doesn’t hurt skin;

has two combs in one;

inexpensive and well-made.

CONS

you need much practice to learn how to use it properly;

cats are often scared of it.

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Pat Your Pet 2-in-1 Pet Glove

Review

This is a grooming tool with a very gentle action: the glove doesn’t hurt a pet, doesn’t irritate its skin. It is made of non-toxic eco-friendly materials. Suits for everyday grooming of cats with all hair types. Removes excessive hairs, while gently massaging the skin. Pets usually love it.

What we think

It is not for severely shedding pets, but has a great soothing, massaging, and relaxing effect. You’d better use it in combination with other tools.

PROS

a gentle action;

cats and dogs are not scared of it;

it is cheap;

non-toxic and eco-friendly.

CONS

it is not very effective.

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Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush

Review

This is a universal brushing tool that suits most cat breeds, except for the hairless ones. It removes loose hairs, stimulates skin, massages body and removes small (not severe) mats and tangles. Its self-cleaning function is really cute.

What we think

The brush does its job well when used properly. Be cautious: by pressing slightly stronger than needed you may scratch the skin of your pet because the teeth are quite rigid.

PROS

for cats with different hair length;

resolves several problems;

a self-cleaning feature

nice-looking and easy to use.

CONS

it is not the best cat brush for short hair;

thin steel teeth are quite rigid.

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GoPets Dematting Comb

Review

Long-haired cats need a special care. Their gorgeous fur is prone to tangling and matting, and you need a lot of patience to cope with this problem. GoPets offers an innovative double-sided tool for an easier dematting and detangling. It has 12 teeth on one side for a primary dematting, and 23 teeth on another side, for a final brushing and deshedding. Thanks to the rounded edges, the skin is not hurt.

What we think

It is a great tool if you learn how to use it correctly. It can seem quite difficult at the beginning, so hold breath and be patient – and you’ll be rewarded with a fine result.

PROS

versatile and multi-purpose;

great for long-haired cats and dogs;

effectively cuts mats without hurting skin;

lifetime warranty.

CONS

it is expensive;

you need practice to use it.

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Safari Soft Bristle Brush

Review

This is a basic bristle brush for everyday grooming of cats and dogs of all breeds and sizes. Nylon bristles are durable but soft, so it doesn’t hurt a pet. It is recommended to use the brush in combination with other grooming tools for the final touch. It has a gentle massaging effect and gently distributes the natural useful oils along the hairs. The result is a glossy, healthy coat.

What we think

Despite being very basic, this bristle-brush is a must-have for every cat owner. It is one of the few brushes that don’t cause any discomfort to a pet; most cats love its gentle massaging effect.

PROS

it is cheap;

a wooden handle;

soft durable bristles;

makes coat glossy without disturbing a cat.

CONS

its efficiency is medium.

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HDP Cat Zoom Groom

Review

This comb is made of soft rubber that acts as a magnet for loose hairs. Its inch-long flexible teeth don’t irritate the skin. Instead, they have a gentle massaging effect, effectively distributing oils along the hairs. The comb is lightweight, easy to use, odor-free, and has a cute design, which makes it an excellent tool for a cat owner.

What we think

We’d prefer the teeth to be some closer to each other. The comb collects hairs as claimed, but due to a pretty large space between the teeth, it is a sort of messy.

PROS

very affordable;

a nice soft material;

doesn’t irritate even sensitive cats;

collects loose hair like a magnet.

CONS

its efficiency is limited.

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Facts about Cats Fur and Cats Grooming

1. Contrary to the popular belief, shampooing makes cats’ fur less glossy and beautiful because shampoo removes natural oils from hairs. Don’t wash cats without need.

2. Never use people’s cosmetics for cats grooming as it can be harmful to pets. There are special powders and sprays for cats that make brushing easier.

3. Some craftsmen use cats’ hairs for knitting warm belts. However, these belts are not as warming-up as items made of dogs’ hairs.

4. Cats of the Turkish Van breed have waterproof fur and like swimming.

5. Historically, most cats, except for rare Persians, used to be short-haired. Long-haired cat breeds became popular only about 100 years ago.

How to Care of a Cat Brush: General Tips

Now, after you’ve chosen the best cat brush, you may ask a reasonable question: how to care for it properly to increase its lifespan? Well, though a pet brush doesn’t require much special maintenance, there are basic rules that can help you to preserve your grooming tool in a good condition:

remove hairs from the teeth after each use;

wash it on an as-needed basis in a warm soapy water;

after washing, let it dry naturally, or soak with a dry cloth;

don’t put a plastic cover on the teeth of a wet brush.

Finally, observe general safety precautions: try not to drop or throw grooming tools, keep them away from small kids and don’t overheat the brush in order not to damage the plastic handle.

How to Care for a Cat’s Fur and Make its Coat Healthy and Glossy

Those who get a long-haired cat for the first time in their life, usually have a lot of questions regarding brushing. The most frequent of them are the following:

How to brush a cat?

How often should I brush my cat?

How to brush a cat that doesn’t want to be brushed?

Specialists believe that there are some things to be done apart from brushing. For example, if the cat is not fed properly, or doesn’t get enough vitamins, brushing alone won’t make its fur healthy and beautiful. Here are the main aspects that you need to focus on if you want your cat to have a perfect coat.

Balanced Nutrition is Essential for Your Kitty’s Fur

Any cat should get proteins from meat products, enough healthy fats, including those containing Omega-3, and carbs. If your cat is on the commercial dry food, choose only premium sorts intended specially for cats of particular breeds and control the pet’s drinking regime. Keep in mind that overeating is even more dangerous than malnutrition. Overweight cats often have a poor quality of fur.

Wash but don’t Overwash

Cats are very cleanly animals. They spend a lot of time on self-cleaning, and they simply don’t need to be bathed too often. Moreover, an excessive washing can yield a reverse effect: you’ll wash out essential oils from the cat’s skin and its hairs turn dull and fragile.

Regular Brushing is the Best Solution

To achieve the best result, you need to buy the proper brush and to learn what the best way to brush a cat is. If you are an owner of a short hair cat brush it at least once a week or two with a slicker or a bristle brush. For a long-haired cat, you’ll need a wider range of grooming accessories. For example, the best brush for Himalayan cat is a deshedding tool – these beautiful creatures tend to shed more intensively than short hair cats. All long hair cats require regular brushing at least twice a week with a deshedder plus a slicker. The most demanding breeds need to be brushed every day.

If Your Cat Hates to Be Brushed…

Suppose, you’ve bought the best Persian cat brush, but your furry friend hates it. Don’t try to force it to the procedure. Instead, start with very gentle stroking movements. You can even buy a glove brush for a starter. Give your cat time to get used to brushing, and then switch to a more serious tool. If the kitty still hates it, try to change the tool or consult a vet. It can turn out that you cause pain to it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Best Type of Brush for Long Hair Cats?

A: Long-haired cats need a lot of grooming, and the best approach is to have several brushes. A slicker brush is a must-have: it copes with major tangles and mats, making brushing easier and more comfortable for a cat. The next mandatory tool is a fine-teeth metal comb. It removes loose hairs and makes the coat soft and silky. A bristle brush can be used for the final grooming – it gently massages the skin and distributes natural oils along the hairs, adding some healthy glossing to the coat.

Q: How do I Keep My Cat from Shedding So Bad?

A: Firstly, make sure that your cat receives all the essential nutrients and vitamins. Consult a vet if necessary. Secondly, use a high-quality deshedding tool to brush out the undercoat without touching the top coat.

Q: How Often do You Have to Brush a Cat?

A: It depends on the cat’s breed, type of coat, and the degree of shedding. A general rule of thumb is that a short-haired cat needs grooming at least once a week, and long-haired cat needs to be brushed every day.

Q: Why Brush Your Cat When They Already Groom Themselves?

There are several reasons to brush a cat despite its self-grooming:

Hairballs reducing. When a cat grooms itself intensively, hairs stick to its tongue and get to the stomach where hairballs are formed. Large balls cause a lot of discomfort and can even cause health disorders.

It helps to keep your house clean. Cats don’t throw away loose hairs after the grooming, and they are left on the floor, furniture, and your clothes.

It prevents hair matting. Tangles and mats look unaesthetic and make a cat experience certain discomfort, so it is better to get rid of them.

If a cat has fleas, you’ll notice it and take timely measures. Regular brushing also allows to detect numerous problems and skin diseases.

It makes your cat’s coat look healthy, glossy, and clean, which is pleasant to an eye.

Verdict and Recommendations

No matter whether you are looking for a safari cat brush or a tool for an alley cat, always choose high-quality grooming tools. We’ve reviewed top-10 cat brushes from well-established brands. All of them do their job really well.

Our top choice is the FURminator Long Hair deShedding Tool. It uses the original FURminator technology for mega-effective removing of loose hair. At the same time, it is extremely well-made, durable, and affordable.

If you are looking for the best long-haired cats grooming tool, try GoPets Dematting Comb. Its double-sided construction allows to cope with mats and tangles most gently and effectively. It is slightly more expensive than similar products, but it is worthy of it.

Our pick for general brushing and massaging is Safari Soft Bristle Brush – affordable, durable, and comfortable for a pet. It is a must-have in any cat owner grooming arsenal.